Page 14 - AfrElec Week 44 2022
P. 14
AfrElec RENEWABLES AfrElec
Ncondezi Energy’s solar battery
storage project in Mozambique
now feasible
MOZAMBIQUE NCONDEZI Energy (Ncondezi), a British Vir- documentation completed on the company’s
gin Islands-registered power developer, has said coal power project and mine, with no major
its planned 300MW solar photovoltaic and bat- issues identified.
tery energy storage project in Mozambique is As the solar project is planned to be installed
technically viable. within the coal project’s concession area, the
The London-listed company on Monday existing ESIA, which was approved by the
(October 31) released results of a feasibility study Mozambican authorities, can be utilised and
(FS) conducted by WSP Group Africa (Pty) Ltd updated to meet the latest requirements, local
(WSP) that also indicates that the plant will be and international standards. This is expected to
located within Ncondezi’s 25,000-hectare coal save significant cost and time for the solar project
mining concession northwest of the southeast- in preparing the ESIA for approval.
ernAfrican country. “I am pleased to report that the company’s
WSP established that the solar resource at the 300MW solar project FS has confirmed a techni-
site is strong at 1,980 kWh/square metre with an cally viable project with a number of advantages
energy yield as high as 2,000 kWh/kWp confirm- capable of driving a competitive power tariff
ing top-tier performance potential. Ncondezi whilst maintaining a robust investment return,”
can deliver the first 60MW within 18 months of Ncondezi chief executive officer Hanno Pengilly
achieving financial close and the 300MW deliv- said.
erable over 28 months. “The solar project is expected to benefit from
However, the company will have to secure favourable site conditions which will help lower
additional funding before the end of November costs and maximise energy yields. Transmission
2022 with various options available and under studies confirm multiple feasible connection
consideration, including the potential additional solutions to strategically connect into the grid
tranche of $173,000 that may be available at the with potential to distribute through the Mozam-
discretion of the lenders, under the terms of the bican northern grid as well as the wider South-
convertible loan announced on September 16, ern African region.”
2022.
WSP conducted a red flag review of the
company’s existing environmental and social
impact assessment (ESIA) and supporting
P14 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 44 02•November•2022
